"Converting to robots saved the dairy"

As winter approaches, many dairy farmers are bringing their grazing herds in and turning their focus to the months ahead. This is the perfect time to assess the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for the next grazing season.

With consumers demanding greater transparency and milk contracts increasingly favouring regenerative production, grazing is climbing the priority list. Processors such as First Milk/Nestlé now stipulate a minimum of 120 days at grass per year. Alongside environmental targets and pressure to reduce inputs, the ability to graze effectively is no longer just a preference but a requirement for many farms.

At the same time, political and economic pressures are forcing difficult decisions. Some farmers are stepping away from dairy altogether. Others are investing heavily in labour and long hours, with some reporting working weeks of up to 100 hours, in order to keep going.

For Mac Findlay of Moorside Farm, Penrith, the choice was clear.

“Converting to robots saved the dairy,” reveals Mac. “But it was imperative that we could continue to graze the herd. That was non-negotiable.”

A fifth-generation farmer working alongside his father John, Mac milks 105 Normande and 25 Dairy Shorthorns across 300 acres. Using an AB-block system for day and night paddocks, the herd has access to fresh grass every 12 hours, thanks to the introduction of Lely robots.

Moorside runs two Lely Astronaut A5 milking robots alongside a Lely Grazeway. The Grazeway integrates with Lely’s cow monitoring systems, enabling cows to be directed to the correct paddock or back to the robot if they still need milking. The result is not just efficient use of time and labour, but greater flexibility for the whole farm system.

“I usually go to the nighttime paddock at 7am, collect any cows left, and move the fence for the next 12 hours. It takes about one hour,” explains Mac.

Milk from forage averages 3,000 litres per cow annually, with two tonnes of concentrate fed per cow per year.

“The Normandes are hardy cows capable of grazing aggressively,” he adds.
“We try and breed cows that are intelligent enough to come back to the shed at 10.30am because they know the gate is going to change at 12 o’clock. These are the cows you never see.”

Reflecting on the addition of robotic milking, Mac is clear about the benefits.

“In farming, you must keep looking to the future. I think robots are better for the cows. One of the reasons we went with Lely is because they are further ahead than competitors when it comes to grazing.”

Mac believes it is a myth that robotic milking means the end of grazing. In fact, he feels more family-run dairies could benefit from the technology.

“If it keeps the family farm, that’s incredible. It’s money well spent.”

Looking ahead

The winter months are the ideal time to explore how grazing could work on your farm alongside robotic milking. Whether your priority is cow welfare, time savings, or meeting new contract requirements, robotic systems like the Lely Astronaut and Grazeway can help make grazing part of a sustainable, profitable future.

At Lely Center Longtown, we combine global expertise with local support. Our team works closely with farmers to design systems that fit their farm and their goals.

If you would like to plan ahead for next year, now is the time to start. Contact Lely Center Longtown today and let’s explore how robotic milking and grazing can work hand in hand on your farm.